How do reading practice sessions work?

Children need regular opportunities to apply the phonics they have learned by reading fully decodable books. Reading practice sessions should be timetabled three times a week and taught by a trained adult. Six children is an ideal number for each group but groups could increase to 10 children if they are all at the same level. 

Children practise reading in books matched to their secure phonic knowledge when reading words. In most cases this means you will have several groups of children in your class on different books. A set of six books should be adequate for a one-form entry school. Larger schools will need more books.

Reception children should start reading practice sessions using Phase 2 Set 1 decodable books as soon as they are able to blend. As this happens at different times for children, some children will begin reading practice sessions sooner than others.

Any child who cannot blend, needs additional blending practice every day until they can blend and can begin reading practice sessions. From Autumn 1 week 4, these children will also benefit from reading sessions using the wordless books.

For children who are beginning to blend but need additional practice, the blending practice books are a useful bridge – the books have fewer words and have sound buttons beneath the words to support the reader.

For additional information about reading practice, refer to the document ‘Application of phonics to reading.’ You can also find some ideas for reading practice timetables in the Reading Leader 1 webinar section of the website.